Investing in Growth. Rooted in Humanity.
At the core of our teaching community is a shared belief: that practice does not end at the edge of the mat. It extends into how we serve, how we grow, and how we show up — both in the studio and in the world. The Teacher Scholarship Fund was created to support that belief in action.
This annual fund is designed to honor and uplift our teachers by providing financial support for continued education — whether within the movement and wellness sector or in the broader field of humanitarian service. It is one way we affirm our commitment to the twin pillars of growth and humanity that guide our work.
Who the Scholarship Supports
The fund is open to teachers who have been actively teaching with Yoga San Kalpa (Yoga on the Vine, Yoga of the Valley, Aligned Pilates Martha’s Vineyard, Aligned Pilates Pioneer Valley) for at least one full year, with at least one regular weekly class on the schedule from September 1 to September 1 of the current calendar cycle (for the inaugural year of 2026 we will consider Jan-Sept employment). It is intended for those who are both deeply engaged in our teaching community and committed to expanding their capacity to serve.
While the fund is not designed to be competitive in the traditional sense, we do consider several factors when determining how to allocate resources in ways that best serve our mission. Preference will be given to teachers who are deeply embedded in the studio’s teaching ecosystem (examples: those who teach exclusively with us, carry a higher volume of weekly classes, regularly sub for peers, attend one studio classes, and generally contribute actively to the collaborative spirit we aim to cultivate.) We also place strong value on the broader social impact of the proposed training — how it may ripple outward to benefit our local or global community, particularly in underserved or high-need contexts. Lastly, we prefer applicants that have explored and exhausted our internal YSK professional development offerings before seeking support for external programs. This ensures that the scholarship truly supports growth that reaches beyond the resources we already provide.
Teacher Scholarship Fund
What the Scholarship Can Be Used For
Recipients may apply the scholarship toward two primary types of training. The scholarship can only be applied to external programs, not to internal YSK programs:
Continuing education within the movement field, such as advanced yoga or Pilates trainings, specialty certifications, mentorship programs, or workshops that deepen knowledge and skill.
Humanitarian education or service-based training, such as the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) or similar programs that equip teachers to contribute meaningfully to global or community-based service efforts.
These two branches represent the foundation of our vision: personal mastery paired with social responsibility.
Scholarship Structure and Timeline
Total Scholarship Distribution for 2026: $5,000
Applications Open: September 15, 2026
Disbursement Period: November 15, 2026 to August 15, 2027
How Funds Are Awarded
Awards may be distributed to a single applicant if the program cost and financial need justify the full amount. Alternatively, smaller amounts may be awarded to multiple recipients based on the strength and relevance of their applications.
All funds are paid directly to the training or program provider.
Why This Matters
This fund is not just an investment in professional development — it is an expression of our collective values. We believe in cultivating teachers who are technically strong, socially conscious, and spiritually grounded. We believe that investing in education — whether in the anatomy of movement or the architecture of social justice — ripples outward into every community our teachers touch.
This scholarship is one way we live our commitment to interdependence: lifting each other up, so we can go out and do the same for others.